term limits

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seen°hard word on Reddit°hard word: https://www.themainewire.com/2025/02/maine-may-soon-join-calls-for-an-article-v-convention-to-amend-the-u-s-constitution/

SP°hard word10 advocates°hard word that a convention°hard word be called to impose°hard word term limits upon°hard word both members°hard word of Congress°hard word and Supreme°hard word Court Justices, while SP°hard word173 seeks°hard word campaign°hard word finance°hard word reform°hard word.

The proposed°hard word term limits for senators°hard word and representatives were not°hard word specified°hard word in the joint resolution°hard word, but it does articulate°hard word that lawmakers°hard word are seeking°hard word to give Supreme°hard word Court Justices staggered°hard word term limits of 18 years.

💡 "Campaign°hard word Finance°hard word" has too many issues°hard word to discuss here.

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Term limits are the wrong solution to the wrong problem.

Well, two different solutions, to two different problems. Term limits for SCOTUS°hard word are different than term limits for elected°hard word officials°hard word ⚔️ re-elected officials°hard word, and that is at least the right problem.

For the Supreme°hard word Court: the romantic idea is an 18-year term limit for SCOTUS°hard word, with a new member°hard word appointed°hard word every 2 years. And, some unspecified°hard word method°hard word to ensure°hard word that a judge's°hard word unfortunate°hard word early demise°hard word does not°hard word disrupt°hard word "partisan°hard word balance".

Unfortunately°hard word, said°hard word method°hard word might not°hard word exist.

Fortunately°hard word, there is no real need for a Constitutional°hard word Amendment°hard word here. Just, some amount of comity°hard word between parties, to implement°hard word it legislatively°hard word.

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Term limits for Congress°hard word are the wrong solution to the wrong problem.

The claimed°hard word problems are:

  • geriatrics°hard word who sleep-walk°hard word to re-election°hard word
  • incumbents°hard word are re-elected°hard word too often
  • members°hard word spend°hard word too much time campaigning°hard word (and fund-raising°hard word)

Term Limits ... solve°hard word some of that. But create their own problems:

  • the "revolving°hard word door" - members°hard word spend°hard word too much time auditioning°hard word for their next job
  • political parties still have safe seats
  • harsh°hard word limits on "institutional°hard word knowledge"

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There are other solutions, each of which have their own drawbacks°hard word. But, in some combinations°hard word, fewer drawbacks°hard word.

  • US House members°hard word cannot°hard word run for consecutive terms
  • Age limits for members°hard word
  • "Competence°hard word" tests 💡 which, unfortunately°hard word, might be impossible to distinguish°hard word from ideological tests
  • Multi-member°hard word districts°hard word ⚙️ the problem is that State boundaries°hard word mean it is difficult to ensure°hard word each district°hard word has the same number of members°hard word; for partisan issues°hard word the differences°hard word between 3-member°hard word and 4-member°hard word districts°hard word are substantial
  • a larger°hard word chamber ⚙️ the US House has had 435 members°hard word since°hard word 1913